The Lagos State Police Command said it has identified a police officer involved in a misconduct and arrest of a bus conductor in Ikorodu, Lagos, after a video of the incident circulated widely on social media.
The footage reportedly shows the conductor resisting arrest while obstructing traffic, causing serious gridlock and hardship for commuters.
The bus involved has been impounded and is now in police custody pending further investigation. To reassure the public, the police command emphasised that justice will be pursued.
The Command stated, “Once again, the Lagos State Police Command wishes to assure the general public that this matter will be thoroughly investigated and justice will be done.”
The Command also highlighted the importance of transparency and lawful conduct among its personnel.
The statement read, “The Command remains committed to ensuring that the conduct and behaviour of Police personnel conform with the law for proper transparency and accountability to the public that we serve.”
The Commissioner of Police, CP Olohundare Jimoh, reminded residents to act lawfully and report any violation of their rights.
He said, “The Commissioner of Police wishes to implore members of the general public to be law-abiding at all times; report promptly any conduct of violation of their rights by Police officers and be assured that justice will be done and the shortcomings will be redressed by the Police authority.”
CP Jimoh also warned against dramatizing incidents and reminded the public about the consequences of resisting arrest.
He warned, “However, unnecessary dramatisation against the Police officer seen in the video is not acceptable under the law. Resisting lawful arrest is also a criminal offence under the law of the land.”
The officer involved is under investigation to determine the appropriateness of his actions, while the conductor has been contacted to appear for an interview with the Commissioner of Police on Monday. The outcome of the investigation will be made public once concluded.
It was previously reported that a confrontation between a police officer and a bus conductor inside a commercial bus in Lagos had sparked widespread outrage.
This is also as a viral video showed passengers pleading with the officer to stop rough-handling the visibly distressed conductor.
In the video, recorded by a female passenger, the police officer is seen pinning the conductor to a bus while bystanders beg him to loosen his grip.
Meanwhile, several voices can be heard shouting, “Leave him! Do you want to kill him? He cannot run away!”
A concerned woman is also heard warning the officer that the conductor appeared to be “suffocating,” urging people to bring water so the man would not pass out.
“If this guy slumps in your hands, it won’t be the way you think,” a passenger cautioned.
“An elderly man is standing here begging you. If he dies, can you take him home?”
The conductor, struggling to speak, repeatedly cried: “Help me, I don’t know what I did.”
Meanwhile, the police officer defended his actions, insisting the conductor had assaulted him first.
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